When you're talking about decorating, size does matter.

You've got a room with the dimensions of a closet and a couch as big as a small elephant.

So what do you do with the elephant in the room?

This problem is especially prevalent in big cities like New York, where space is at a premium, particularly in apartments and lofts.

But folks here confront the issue too.

To help smooth small design dilemmas, there are more and more products out there to accommodate small space needs, local designers say.

But even they themselves face space constraints in their own homes.

"Though I am an avid cook, do lots of entertaining, and have made the occasional wedding cake, my own kitchen is the tightest design I have done," said Suzan Matos, owner of AAID Studios, who has also led courses in interior design at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. "Many walk-in closets are bigger."

Measurements: 7 feet, 4 inches by 10 feet, 4 inches.

Matos included many space-saving options in her "everything is in arms reach" kitchen, including a cookbook holder hung on the fridge, a dish drainer mounted above the sink and enamel closet rods across the top of the kitchen to hold pots.

Common challenges to squeezing the optimum into cramped quarters?

Acquisition … as in too much stuff.

"By throwing things out, people can save money," said Anne Williams, principal/design director of Design for Functional Interiors (DFI).

"'If you haven't used/worn/touched it in a year, get rid of it is still a good guide," Matos said.

She suggests having someone you trust help you by offering a fresh pair of eyes and perspective.

Then, there's that elephant in the room.

"People often underestimate the size of things," Williams said. "I give my clients a scale and ruler so they can see exactly what their space is."

Furniture can appear smaller than it really is when it's in a huge showroom, she said.

"Initially, the most common challenge I run into is actually people's mind-set," said Matos, who lectures on "Storage: The Never Ending Story." "The idea of 'more/bigger is better' is difficult to give up. We live it." For instance, Matos said, the average family of four lives in approximately 2,400 square feet in the United States, about 1,200 square feet in the European Union and in Japan just barely 685 square feet.

Other small-space challenges include color choices, the furniture layout and lighting … and, of course, budget, say the designers.

It's always important to consider each client's needs and choices, said Jennifer Mann, interior designer at Interiors Furniture in Lancaster, in order to set the direction of design for the room.

A lot goes into the mix with a new client: their lifestyle, habits and aesthetic preferences, Matos said.

In a small space, she said, there is no room for pretense.

"A lot of the concerns relate to adequately using the space and having it be functional when it is completed," Mann said.

Still, scale and proportion are everything, Matos said.

Lots of dainty furniture can make a small room feel like a dollhouse, and fewer, more generously sized pieces will be more comfortable and inviting.

Astute designers also welcome the new space-saving devices and furnishings.

"Small-scale pieces that are very functional are becoming easier to find," Mann said. "Other furnishings that have multifunctional uses are also available. For example, ottomans that have storage inside offer creative hiding spaces in a small room while doubling as a seat or footrest."

"This market has exploded in the past several years," Matos agreed.

She cites kitchen/bath cabinet inserts and closet and under-bed storage systems at every price point, updated sleeper sofas, hooks for the back of a door, crocks for cooking tools and shelves to hang above doorways.

But there really are no rules or right, designers say.

There are plenty of tips (see sidebar), but they are very dependent on the actual room and client wishes.

Sometimes a lighter color works, sometimes a darker color is more appropriate, Williams said.

She recalls a small hallway where there was very low light, and a darker color actually helped the hallway appear larger.

"There isn't a general solution," Williams said.

"While small spaces can be a challenge," Mann said, "they can also be incredibly inviting and useable spaces if designed effectively."

Think large about small.

Steps to simplify small-space design

1. Clear a path: Don't turn your home into a maze.

2. Minimize accessories: Know the dimensions of your space. Measure; take photos.

3. De-clutter: Get rid of stuff you don't need.

4. Consider the impact of color: Embrace it. Consider a monochromatic color scheme. A darker color with a light trim can actually make the walls appear to recede and the room will look bigger. Start with your wardrobe to see what colors you really like.

5. Don't over-furnish: Too much will make a room feel cluttered. Place pieces of a collection in one area. With a strategically-placed mirror, the reflection will become part of the room and it will appear larger.

6. Choose lighting wisely: Natural light is a good for use in a small room. Don't block windows with window treatments or furniture, if possible. Other light sources include table and floor lamps and wall sconces.

Sources: The Washington Post; Design for Functional Interiors; Interiors Furniture; AAID Studios

sjurgelski@lnpnews.com